F1 children's hospital pit stop lifts spirits

Dad Stuart said the opportunity to see the car lifted his son's spirits

Young patients and their families were excited as Formula 1 team Aston Martin brought a replica car to hospital on Thursday.

The visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital is part of a tour of five hospitals across the UK and is thanks to a charity partnership.

Patient Bella, 15, described it as "really cool" and said it was a welcome distraction.

F1 fan Stuart, dad to 16-year-old patient Ashden, said it was amazing to touch the replica car and added: "It lifts the spirits, and if you can lift the spirits you can lift the body".

Bella, 15, said the F1 replica car was "really cool"

Staff at Aston Martin's Gaydon headquarters have recently raised £15,000 for the hospital charity, the company said.

Head of academy Jessica Hawkins, who is also a racing car driver, said the aim of the hospital visits was to "bring joy".

"Some of the kids may never have seen a Formula 1 car, so [we're] really giving them an opportunity to smile, and just brighten their day slightly."

Jessica Hawkins is head of the F1 academy and also a driver

Helen Grundy, senior sustainability manager at Aston Martin Lagonda said: "It's really lovely to see everyone and just bring a little bit of happiness."

"Hopefully it helps parents put a little bit more of a positive spin on something that could be quite scary for their children."

Bella signed her name on the doodle car, writing "Bella was here".

Her dad said: "The opportunity to get off the ward really does a lot for the mental health."

"You've hit the nail on the head there," she agreed. "You just need a little bit of a distraction from the health issues."